The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-23
MR.. CLOVER'S GIFT.
The Thanksgiving It Made in the
Deacon's House.


Two smiling middle-agcd faces
looked Mt one another across the libra
~ table. Mr.. Glover was recountins
TO his wifc the prospects OF success
that had opened in his business this
fall. Eyes, my dear" he said, 1--WE
must do something unusual by way of
p Thanksgiving Offering this year.
What shall it be?'
How much shall it be' first" said
Mrs. Clover.
we'll, say thousand; we can spar C
IL as we'll as not"
81 know what I'd like to do-have
the church re-frescocd and some new
carpets put in. That stained ceiling
and that worn path up the center aisle
do distress me'
Every thing in Mrs. Clover's house
was fresh and shining. Her eyes were
spoiled at home for shabby things
abroad.
well. I'd like to beautify the
church" said MI. Glover. I'll speak
TO some of the committee after prayer
meeting and tell them what we pro-
pose"
"Will they let us9'
LET US? Well, l guess So"
"And let us have some choice about
colors and carpets. hope?"
"Oh, you'll see: you'll have it all
your own way"
Mrs. Clover looked beaming. In
fact, two very happy people went to
prayer-mecting that night
Mice folks" said Ebenezer Grist,
The sexton, as he saw them pass up the
aisle; "but sometimes there's leetle
of the strut and crow about 'em,
toor'
Indeed, good Mr.. Clover was that
minute meditating little Thanksgiv-
ing speech in the meeting, which per-
haps might have had the echo of the
''erow' only too audible in it for cap
tious ears.
But the speech never was made; for
he had not been five minutes in meet
Ing before there came some words out
OF the New Testament which seemed
to pull his heart right down from its
place of jabilation and stick it full of
thorns. A shadow fell over his ruddy
face. and bis wife, who did not in the
least understand it, Immediately re-
Elected it in her own.
The words which had this unhappy
effect were these:
Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to
the altar, and there rememberest that
thy brother hath ausht against thee,
leave there thy gift before the altar,
aud 60 thy way; first be reconciled to
thy brother, and then come and offer
thy gift"
And there sat- across tho aisle,
nearer the door. but still within reach
OF every uneasy side glance, brother
who had something against Mr.. Glover.
1t was only poor old Deacon Simon.
His face was thin and severe; his hands
shook; his hair was white; his clothes
We're shabby. He had been made dea-
con because of his burning zeal; but
The severity of his spirit had not made
MN popular in the church. He was
often at odds with his brethren. He
scented heresy in every breeze. He
mourned over a church whose men,
Dcrs sometimes allowed dancing and
eafd-playing in their homes. and even
look drives on the Sabbath. Poor
deacon Simon, who often stood alone |
les'ifying for old ways of righteous
ness and whose sensitive spirit was
so rasped by the Indifference with
Which his testimony was received!
Only last month he had objected to
children's October Sunday where
There should be autumn leaves and |
Kindred frivolities brought into
CHURCH. Then Brother Clover, who
looked so good-natured, but had
choleric temper of his own
upon occasions, had fired up and
spoken hasty words to the good dea-
s'n' words as rude rs blow. They
mad been received In silence; they had
never been apologized for; there had
o'ea little intercourse between the
Two men since.
!, u won't apologize" said Mr.
Gtover now to himself. Il told him
,hs truth, and nothing else would
nave stopped his talk, and served our
tnrn.n
III thy brother hath aught against
NEE hummcd the unwelcome words
IN his mind.
u, he was going to spoil good thing.
We couldn't stir hand or foot in this
s :, If somebody didn't put down
a ais a aio,m,ineering spirit I'm glad